I use GIS and Earth Observation to examine terrestrial carbon dynamics, land use change, environmental degradation and map solar potential. I am particularly interested in peatland ecosystems across the globe.

 

I have coordinated several research proposals at national (EPA - PI and Co-PI; DAFM - PI & Co-PI), international (FP7 - Marie Curie IEF and H2020 - Coordinator) and Industry (Google Earth Engine - PI) and have an  extensive network of collaborators across Europe (UK, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and France) as well as in the USA and Canada. In 2019, I had an opportunity to spend three weeks at the Earth and Environment Department at Boston University. During that time I was invited to be an International Collaborator on the NASA funded GLanCE: Global Land Cover mapping and Estimation project.

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Click below for:

CV

Google Scholar Citation Index 

Scopus

ResearcherID - A-2925-2014

ORCID

Researchgate

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I am actively involved in a number of research projects and have coordinated several national and international research proposals including:

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Current funded projects:

• EPA - PI on the ICONEEx Project   (2023 - 2025 - €350,000)

• DAFM/EPA - PI on the RePEAT Project (2022 - 2024 - €500,000)

• EPA - Co-PI on the Irish Peatland Resilience project (2022 - 2023 - €300,000)

• EPA - PI on the  iHabiMap project (2019 - 2023 - €484,000) 

• EPA - CO-PI on the  SmartBog project (2019-2023 €500,000)

 

Current unfunded/collaborative projects:

• International Collaborator on the BlanketBog project (NTU, UK)

• Co-coordinator on the Shass Mountain Landslide assessment project

• Lead Coordinator Author on the Global Peatland Assessment (UNEP)

• International Collaborator on the GLANCE project (Boston University)

• Collaboration with Luggala Estate Ltd. on teaching and research.

 

Under Review:

• DAFM research projects (Under Review - Summer 2023)

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Previous Projects and applications:

• DAFM - Co-PI on the GENENET project (2020 - 2022 - €227,000)

• Horizon Europe - Wetlander (2021 - Unsuccessful)

• HEA North-South - GreenSynth (2021 - Unsuccessful)

• SFI ENABLE - CO-PI on the  SolarMap project (2019 -2021 - €124,000)

• H2020 call EO-2-2017 (2017 - EO DataCatalyst - Coordinator - Unsuccessful).

• EPA Proposal - Co-PI on Terrestrial GHGs project (2016 - Ranked 2nd) 

• EPA Proposal - PI on the proposed COMPASS Project (ClassificatiOn and Mapping of PeAtlandS Status - 2015 ranked 2nd) 

• Google Earth Engine Research Award - Co-PI the Pan Arctic Net Ecosystem Exchange project (PANEEX) (2015 - $75,000 )

• FP7:Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship - PI on the Mire Ecosystem Transition Area Flux project (METAflux) examining thawing permafrost peatlands in Northern Sweden (2012 - 2014 - €241,000).

• EPA STRIVE application - PI on an EPA STRIVE application (2011 - ranked 2nd).

• Norwegian Research Council - Co-PI on proposal: Detection and monitoring of mires on the Arctic fringe (given an excellent mark (6 out of 7) but unsuccessful).

• EPA STRIVE Doctoral Scholarship - Co-PI on Remote sensing of grasslands for evaluating compliance with key environmental legislation (2009 - €95,000)

• EPA STRIVE - PI on the  funded postdoctoral research fellowship: Identification, mapping, assessment and quantification of the effects disturbance on the peat soil C stock in Ireland (PEAT IMAQ) (2008 - €278,000)

• EPA STRIVE - Co-PI on an  Doctoral Scholarship: Assessing and monitoring vegetation disturbance on Irish peatlands using satellite remote sensing (2007 - €95,000)

 

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I am very interested in working with researchers and supervising PhD students with interests in applied earth observation and GIS under the following themes:

- Land use and land use change (particularly in relation to Peatland and Agriculture)
- Permafrost degradation in the Arctic
- Landscape carbon dynamics

- Detecting and mapping peatlands and peatland degradation
- Mapping the historical extent of Irish Peatlands and loss of carbon store
- Ecosystem Services in natural environments
- Solar mapping